After snow and ice dominated the week leading up to Super Bowl XLV, many believed that North Texas needed a late rally to turn the game into a success.

Unfortunately, a major mishap involving seating took center stage before the kickoff, followed by Christina Aguilera’s missing a line in the national anthem. The Black Eyed Peas then earned only mixed reviews for their halftime performance.

And that caused some in the media to attack the planning of this grand event.

While discussing the 400 ticket holders who were denied seats when temporary bleachers erected inside Cowboys Stadium were determined to be unsafe, David Knox of The Birmingham (Ala.) News wrote:

“Hardly the Super Bowl experience you'd expect. If it's any justice, (Cowboys owner Jerry) Jones didn't get his attendance record. I just hope he doesn't get a chance to host the coveted 50th anniversary game in 2016.”

Chris Chase of Yahoo Sports also mentioned Jones’ attendance record, writing, “The headaches (Jones) and the Cowboys dealt with this week, from the wintry weather to the ice-related injuries to the seating embarrassment, would have been worth it if the attendance had come in one person higher than Pasadena.”

Jones had hoped that Sunday’s attendance would eclipse the 103,985 mark set at Super Bowl XIV between the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. He came up just short of the record.

However, as Chase mentioned: “They failed. On the bright side, at least the scoreboard looked good.”

The Detroit Free Press blamed Jones and the NFL for the mishap, running a headline that read: “NFL, Jerry Jones drop ball on temporary seating.”

Don Banks of SI.com wrote the seating fiasco may not end North Texas’ chance at getting another opportunity to host the Super Bowl, but added: “I wouldn't advise Jerry Jones to call (NFL Commissioner) Roger Goodell first thing on Monday to get back in line for another Super Bowl for his home ballpark. I'd give it a little time. Say three years or so, just to let Sunday's pregame seating debacle to simmer down. Suffice to say, Cowboys Stadium wasn't ready for its big close-up.”

Ken Hoffman of the Houston Chronicle wrote that Dallas was dealt a bad hand with the frigid weather, ice storm and snowdrifts, but also said the Super Bowl was “a dud six ways from Super Sunday.”

Hoffman used his column to compare Dallas’ handling of the 2011 Super Bowl to the way Houston performed when given the honor in 2004. Hoffman complained about the weather, travel and entertainment.

Driving conditions were so poor that Hoffman even went so far as to write: “Several times I saw my life flash before my eyes.”

Not all writers were as negative. Cedric Golden of the Austin American-Statesman and Hampton Stevens of TheAtlantic.com said they believed the event went well.

“For all the bad weather and canceled events, and the surprising amount of surliness from supposedly hospitable Texans, Super Bowl XLV turned out just fine,” Stevens wrote. “In fact, in honor of the late, Cowboy great Don Meredith, let's just go ahead and call this one a dandy.

“People may love to hate Jerry Jones for building this tribute to excess, but mercy how it works on a day like this one.”

Golden wrote that Jones should be commended for his hosting prowess, adding: “After a week of slipping and sliding, he landed on his feet and overcame several unforeseen circumstances to deliver a credible Super Bowl party.

“It was Jerry's first Super Bowl. And not his last.”

SPORTSDAYDFW NOW ON MOBILE

Get the latest sports news and information from The Dallas Morning News on your phone. Just type SportsDayDFW.com in your mobile browser. It works with almost any phone.

Whether you're at the stadium, a local sports bar or just on your couch, stay connected with your teams.

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.